I've been playing Samus Returns and AM2R side by side for the past couple of days, and it's really interesting to me that they are not even remotely recognizable as being (based off) the same game.

I'm absolutely loving the backgrounds in Samus Returns. Makes the planet feel as alive as in the Prime series.

PSA: If you've beaten Mario + Rabbids but want more, don't forget to do the co-op missions. You can even do them solo fairly well once you get used to switching controllers. There are some pretty nice challenges in there (plus difficulty settings).

We just had my father's funeral. It was a beautiful service, and people had come from all over the country to be there. Now I'm going to be replaying To The Moon for the rest of today. It seems fitting that way.

The Project Octopath Traveler demo is damn impressive. If this keeps up, this is looking to be a stellar JRPG.

FIGHT!

Doom and Wolfenstein WHAT.

Your move, Nintendo.

Two truths and a lie: 1) I love you all. 2) I hate some of you. 3) I even really appreciate GajKnight even though he's, you know, GajKnight.

Cherish your dads, everyone. I deeply loved mine, but I regret to say that he passed a little over two hours ago.

I just completed Mario + Rabbids 100%. It's a fantastic game, but an even better proof-of-concept. It makes me feel that Mario + Rabbids 2 could be ace.

Despite everything that's going on in my life right now, Mario + Rabbids is absolutely joyful. It's super fun, and charming enough that even if it doesn't strictly make me feel better it at least takes my mind off things.

Today me and my family received the devastating news that my dad will not be with us for much longer. It feels surreal, and I'm at a loss as to how to process it all. Fuck cancer; fuck it so fucking hard. Hug your loved ones if you can.

It's like picking a favorite child, but harder. Also I like cute things.

Today Azure Striker Gunvolt 1 & 2 is releasing on Switch for €35. That seems somewhat expensive but I haven't played either of these games before. Worth it?

I think it's cool that the Nindies showcase doesn't just focus on the (rather paradoxical) big-name indies, but also shows a bunch of stuff I've literally never heard of. Granted, they don't all look strictly GOOD, but at least now I know they exist.

The movement options in Mario + Rabbids are completely bonkers in the best possible way. This may well be the first turn-based strategy game where the movement phase is the most exciting part, and the most satisfying when you pull of some sick stunts.

Currently watching a Longplay of Hellblade, and it's really interesting so far. People need to stop using the term "walking simulator" and being so dismissive of these types of games, because obviously cool stuff can be done with it.

Evidently Angela Merkel namedropped Dark Souls during her opening speech for Gamescom, saying that all the new games shown are pretty nice, but they ain't no Dark Souls. I'm not sure how I feel about this.

Called it.

I've been watching a Nioh Let's Play today, and it led me to some musings: When does a popular and highly influential game (or style of game) become a genre? When does a game like Nioh stop being a "ripoff" and start being a "Soulslike"?

Played through Subsurface Circular just now, and I enjoyed it. You play it for the narrative and there are interesting takes on AI tropes towards the end. Also, I think it's neat how the Thomas Was Alone characters are religious figures to the robots now.

I didn't even realize that Mike Bithell had a new upcoming game, but evidently Subsurface Circular is out now. Appears to be a short artsy text-adventure. I don't mind what it is, Bithell gets all my money forever for ever having made Thomas Was Alone.

It took over half the game, but I found a Zone in Sonic Mania that I really don't like. If the internet has taught me anything, I am now legally obliged to call the whole game trash garbage, and you are all bad people for liking it.

I just spent 3 hours cleaning basically all of my apartment, Cinderella-style, while singing and humming along to some of my favorite music. I actually feel pretty contented and accomplished now, go figure. Guess I should do this more often!